The Opposite Of Indifference - Chapter 34

The ball, which Prince Frederick started, continued in earnest. All the well-dressed men and women of the court poured out and danced.

The hem of the women’s dazzling gowns fluttered. High-heeled shoes and fringed leather boots clashed merrily. Those who want to show off their dance skills in line with the musician’s performance. There were only a few who did not dance.

Ambria Belvard was particularly reserved.

She deliberately wore a gown of solemn colors and hid her hair in a gabled hood that was even more ascetic than the one worn by her daughter Ann.

The aristocrats who asked Ambria for a dance were all refused, no matter how well known. Even Frederick II’s request was politely rejected.

Conscious of her reputation as a coveted widow, she tried hard not to make room for anything.

Ambria danced with only one person—a man with bright red hair.

He held out his hand with a humorous expression. Ambria did not have time to panic and smiled. They joined a group that was dancing country dances with a familiar and merry step.

“You know Sir John Warwick, right?” On the way back to the seat after the dance, Ambria whispered to her daughter.

“The Duke of Langlewood.” Ann whispered back.

“He was close friends with your father before you were born.”

Of course, Ann knew the story well.

“And he’s my godfather. Every time he came to Windwhistle Rock, he gives me candy treats. I remember the candy well. I never forget where or what I ate.”

Sure enough, the Duke of Langlewood winked at Ann.

“I didn’t know you could dance with the prince, Ann!” he said playfully. “I’ve heard a lot about your dancing skills from the Duchess of Windwhistle Rock.”

“Why not? My mother said to my face that my skills were a punishment by God.” Ann replied bluntly.

The Duke of Langlewood chuckled. Soon after, Ann smiled faintly as well. Redhead John Warwick’s laugh was always amusing.

Soon after, the Duke of Langlewood returned to the side of Frederick II and the Duke of Humston.

Ambria whispered as she took Ann’s hand. “Lord Warwick is a respectable man.” Suddenly, she lowered her voice. “But there are far more men at court who aren’t like that.” Ambria’s anxious look around them was uncomfortable. “I need to give you a hint just in case.”

“What?”

“Don’t dance with anyone. You stood out too much because you were already dancing with Prince Frederick.”

“I don’t want to go further.” Ann snorted. “I have already danced the dance for the rest of my life today. Besides, I didn’t dance with the prince because I wanted to.”

“Yes, you are such a child. But the court is a place where women are easily swept away.” For some reason, Ambria was filled with anxiety. “At the same time, the court is a place where it is difficult for a woman to defend her reputation.”

“I don’t care about reputation.”

“No, you have to, Ann.” Ambria was firm. “If your reputation is ruined, there will be no one to help you at the crucial moment.”

This time, the reason my mother taught me sounded quite valid. Ann nodded quietly.

“And watch out for Count Aroulin.”

“Lady Adriana’s father? why? Because of the rumors that he beats his children?”

 “That too. He is not a friend to young children.” Ambria’s words were wary and full of warning.

“The Duchess of Windwhistle!” Queen Margaret called, so Ambria had no time to explain in detail.

“Don’t be too scared.” Ambria suddenly changed her words. “Don’t think about the danger.” She turned her attention to the waiting queen.

The ball ended with a passionate Volta dance song. Then the dinner began in earnest. Ann sat down with the young ladies from earlier.

The maids of the palace served the dishes until the tables collapsed. The main dish was a stuffed swan decorated with hawthorn branches. Ann couldn’t wait to eat it right away, but she had to wait longer.

It was because Frederick’s birthday cake appeared in the center of the Great Hall in a silver cart.

Frederick II raised the golden cup. Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses. There were congratulatory messages congratulating Prince Frederick on his birthday.

When Prince Frederick stood up and greeted them dignifiedly, everyone raised their forks and knives for the first time.

“Thank you for giving me my daily bread today…”

Even as her appetite raged like a storm around her, Elizabeth Dulby did not forget her pre-dinner prayers. She seemed to always carry a rosary and a bible. Placing her right hand on the Bible in his lap she counted the rosary in her left hand. With her lips, Elizabeth mumbled a prayer.

It was clearly a faithful sight. As a fellow Monegalite, Ann’s conscience deserved to be pricked. But somehow Ann couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a little odd. There was a strange energy that could not be explained at all from the fervant look of Elizabeth praising the creator mother.

“Anyway, that fanatic household—” Ann was not the only witness to Elizabeth’s piety. Charlotte Brennan, who was nearby, clicked her tongue in disgust.

“Leave it. If you get involved wrongly, you will only lose face.” Ophelia stabbed Charlotte in the side. She, too, had a vague look when she glanced at Elizabeth Dulby.

Ann’s interest returned to food. Desserts such as pudding and plums coated with honey were served. Even more so, the moment the long-awaited marzipan was served, Ann’s eyes turned upside down.

It was in the shape of a bouquet, just as my mother had sneakily warned. It was baked really nicely, but Ann couldn’t wait to appreciate the shape. She popped it into her mouth and swallowed—so soft and fluffy!  Indeed, Ann knew it was a taste that only a skillful chef in the royal palace could make.

“Oh my God, Lady Ann. Do you really eat like a horse?” Beside her, Jane stuck out her tongue.  “Are you eating as much as you want and secretly regurgitating?”

“No Why would I do that?” Ann asked in bewilderment.

“I do sometimes. Otherwise, I get fat.” Jane shrugged her round shoulders. “Even if it’s not so, at the tea party earlier, I lost control and ate a lot.” With a worried look in her heart, she caressed the tight waist of her bodice.

“It was just a plate of biscuits. Just because you picked up and ate a few of them doesn’t mean you’re going to turn away from this wonderful dinner, right?” Ann thought it was a very strange problem. A

s if competing with Ann earlier, while eating biscuits and chocolate in a combative way. “Is it so? A little more will be fine.” After some hesitation, Jane’s eyes twinkled and she reached out her chubby hand for a plate of marzipan.

“Stop it, Jane!” But someone jumped out from behind and slapped his hand.

“Father!” All at once, Jane shrank.

Her father, Baron Mariboro, was staring at her with angry eyes. He violently pushed the plate in front of Jane. “Stop eating! You are fatter than a pig that has already gained weight to eat.”

“As you ordered, I ate only one meal for the whole fifteen days.” Jane protested. “I didn’t eat much today!”

“But seeing that you’re the fattest person here, I guess you’ll have to starve yourself.” Baron Mariboro cut it savagely. “You can’t even dance with Prince Frederick because I’ve gained so much weight.” Perversely, he stabbed Jane in the stomach. “You can’t beat Adriana Beasley, let alone Charlotte Brennan.”

Suddenly, Baron Mariboro’s eyes turned to Ann. “To lose even to the daughter of a widow from Windwhistle Rock!”

It was the first time Ann had been insulted so blatantly in front of my face. At first, she thought she had heard wrong. “Could you say that again?” She asked as politely as she knew how, but Baron Mariboro left without a reply.

“Here you go.” Ann stuck out her tongue and handed back Jane’s plate, which Baron Mariboro had pushed. “The person who really needs to lose weight seems to be that person, but—” Baron Mariborro was in no position to point out others. The Baron was easily the fattest man in town and looked like a walking killer whale.

“It’s fine.” But this time, Jane was petulant. “You can eat anything. Even if you eat like a horse, you will still be skinny! That’s why you can look down on me and sympathize with me for trying harder than you!” Jane kicked back her chair and left.

It would have been better if Ann had really looked down on him and heard that kind of noise. The bewilderment made Ann completely sick of it.

I just want to get back to Windwhistle Rock as soon as possilbe. But, it seems that the banquet still has a long way to go.

Ann had no choice but to fill her stomach as a diversion. She finished her plate and even ate up what Jane had thrown away.

“It’s marzipan.” Someone else approached Ann as she hurriedly ate marzipan. “It’s a snack I really like, too.”

Ann didn’t want to be interrupted by anyone else, so she turned around annoyedly, and was met by the drunken face of Count Aroulin.

“The Kingdom of Kintland makes very good desserts.”

His accent was different from his daughter’s. Adriana spoke perfect Kintrandian, like someone born and raised in a kingdom. However, Count Aroulin’s place of origin was clearly evident. He spoke like an Imperial, speaking the language of the Kingdom.

Ann nodded roughly to be polite. When it came to eating, she didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone. She didn’t even know why he had left his seat near the king to be next to her.

“It’s really appetizing.”

Well, until he reached out and groped her shoulder.

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